A stranded octopus has been rescued after washing up on a beach in Edinburgh.

A passer-by spotted the cephalopod on the sand at Cramond beach on Thursday morning.

The Scottish SPCA was called out after the animal was seen to be curled up and appeared to be in trouble.

It was moved to a nearby rock pool but people have been warned not to touch octopuses as their mouths can contain toxins.

Animal rescue officer Sarah Auldsmith said: "An octopus should only be out of the water for 30 minutes at a time depending on weather conditions so it was very lucky to be spotted when it was.

"When I arrived at the beach a member of public had already managed to move it into a nearby rock pool as the tide was so far out."

She added: "We wouldn't advise the public to touch these octopuses as they have sharp beak-like mouths which are used to catch their prey of lobsters, crabs and fish, and can also release toxins.

"We're hopeful that he'll go out with the next tide."